The United States Navy
Unit Commendation

The United States
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation

HMAS PERTH

Copies of the Commendations' courtesy of the
HMAS Perth Association

[Ship's crest courtesy of Directorate of
Public Information - Navy]

Established by order of the United States Secretary of the
Navy, 18 December 1944, it is awarded by the Secretary to any
ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the naval service of
the United States Navy which has, subsequent to 6 December 1941,
distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the
enemy, but not sufficient to justify award of the Presidential
Unit Citation.

The US Navy Unit Commendation confers on the recipient the
right to wear a distinctive pennant, a green burgee with blue,
yellow and scarlet horizontal stripes top and bottom. In
addition, members of the ship's company serving in the ship
during the period for which the citation is awarded, wear a
separate ribbon.

The commendation, established in 1944, is a highly valued
honour and during the period of the Vietnam war, had no
equivalent in the Australian system of awards. the award
may be made to any unit of the US Navy or US Marine Corps which
has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against
the enemy or to any unit which has distinguished itself by
extremely meritorious service not involving combat, but in
support of military operations. the award may also be
conferred upon units of armed forces of nations serving with the
armed forces of the United States, providing that these units
meet the standards established for US Navy and US Marine Corps
Units.

HMAS PERTH - AWARDED TWO US NAVY COMMENDATIONS

PERTH II reached the "sunset" of her career - decommissioned from service in the
Royal Australian Navy in October 1999 after a distinguished 34 years where she
saw three deployments on active service in Vietnam during the late 1960's /
early 1970's, and many other tours of duty to ports all around the world. She
steamed in excess of one million nautical miles during her career, and is the
only RAN ship to be hit by enemy fire since HMAS SHROPSHIRE was hit during
Korean conflict. She was awarded the following US Navy commendations:

1.
US Navy Unit Commendation

For her outstanding performance while working with the US Seventh Fleet in
1967/68 under the Command of CAPT Peter Doyle. The US Navy Unit Commendation
was established in 1944.

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending

HMAS PERTH (D38)

for Services set forth in the following:

CITATION:

For Exceptionally Meritorious Service from 9 September 1967 to 5
April 1968 in the planning and execution of combat missions against
enemy aggressor forces in direct support of Free World Objectives.
While operating as a unit of the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet, HMAS PERTH
delivered extensive, destructive naval gunfire against enemy supply
routes, coastal defense sites, troop concentrations, and fortified
positions in both North and South Vietnam.

The prowess and teamwork displayed by the personnel of PERTH were
uniformly characterized by personal valour, professional acumen, and
individual initiative. Although often within the range of enemy
emplacements, and frequently under fire from North Vietnamese
coastal defense sites, PERTH quickly responded with skill and
resourcefulness, silencing enemy batteries while manoeuvring
adroitly to avoid sustaining any damage or injury to herself.

The tenacity, professionalism, and dedication demonstrated by the
officers and men of PERTH reflect great credit upon themselves and
the Royal Australian Navy.

Paul R Ignatius
Secretary of the Navy

2. US
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation

Once again for her outstanding performance while working with the US Seventh
Fleet in 1968/69 under the command of CAPT David Leach. The US Navy Meritorious
Unit Commendation was established in July 1967.

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the

Meritorious Unit Commendation to HMAS PERTH (D38)

for service as set forth in the following:

For meritorious service from 24 September, 1968 to March 1969 while
participating in combat operations against enemy aggressor forces in
South East Asia.

As a member of the United States SEVENTH Fleet assigned to SEA
DRAGON operations, HMAS PERTH contributed significantly to SEVENTH
Fleet combat operations by conducting numerous successful fire
missions against heavily defended enemy logistic installations and
lines of communications. When PERTH was engaged by enemy shore
batteries on two occasions, the combination of her crew members'
spirited teamwork and capable leadership produced quick and precise
evasive action to spare the ship any material or personnel
casualties. PERTH's highly accurate fire inflicted heavy losses on
enemy assets and was instrumental in assuring the success of allied
operations wherever she was stationed.

The outstanding performance, superlative accomplishments, and
inspiring devotion to duty displayed by the officers and men of HMAS
PERTH throughout her deployment, reflect credit upon themselves and
the Royal Australian Navy.